Bent eyes England spot

Darren Bent is hoping to tie down a regular place in the England side after joining Aston Villa.

Last Updated: 19/01/11 6:32pm

Darren Bent is hoping to tie down a regular place in the England side after joining Aston Villa.

The striker does not believe that moving to Villa Park from Sunderland will necessarily improve his chances of earning international recognition, but believes a change of scenery could do him good.

Bent will have plenty to prove at Villa, as Gerard Houllier has splashed out a club record fee to bring him on board.

The former Charlton and Tottenham man is used to performing to under pressure, though, and is excited by the challenge.

He is aiming to hit the ground running with his new employers and hopes a good run of form domestically will see him become an established figure for England.

Bent told Sky Sports News: "I scored a lot of goals for Sunderland and only got snippets here and there.

"I got more time towards the end, then I got injured for the last game. But I scored in the game before that so hopefully chances will come.

"I just want to be playing regularly in Aston Villa's first team, scoring goals, playing really well, and hopefully I will get in the squad."

Targets

It has been suggested that England need to look to the stars of the future if they are to erase the memory of a disappointing showing at the 2010 World Cup, but 26-year-old Bent insists he has no preference as to which direction the national side takes.

"I am thinking I just want to be part of an England side, rather than an old or a young England side," he added.

"It would just be nice to be in there, in the squad. I can't remember up until the last time when I had been in two consecutive squads. So to be in two consecutive squads would be good.

"To be a regular in the team and not have to worry about whether I'm going to get picked would be nice as well.

"The only way I am going to do that is by playing well and knocking them in for Villa."